As we know, Autism (ASD) affects a person's experience with the world and people around them. One of the key aspects of ASD is that it can impact an individual's ability to process information quickly due to the sheer amount of data input they experience at all times. As a result, it is crucial to give autistic individuals of all ages adequate processing time, ideally a minimum of 60 seconds, from the moment you provide a directive or make a statement.
Understanding Processing Time
Processing time refers to the duration it takes for an individual to recognize you are speaking to them direction, wanting their input, fully comprehend, internalize information, then formulate a response based on factors like situation, person, emotional state and more.
Providing sufficient processing time allows autistic individuals to:
Recognize you are speaking to them: This takes moving out of a potentially protective hyper focused state to shift attention to you AND feeling empowered that you are not just going to tell them what to do but you want their true engagement.
Fully understand the information: It gives them the opportunity to decode the verbal or nonverbal communication and make sense of it within their own context.
Formulate a response: If a response is required, it allows them time to organize their thoughts and express themselves effectively.
Reduce anxiety and overwhelm: Rushing or interrupting an autistic individual can increase their anxiety and lead to sensory overload, making it even more difficult for them to process information and respond appropriately.
Benefits of Providing Processing Time
Giving autistic individuals ample processing time can lead to several positive outcomes:
Improved communication: It fosters clearer and more effective communication, reducing misunderstandings and frustration for both the autistic individual and the communicator.
Enhanced engagement: It allows autistic individuals to participate more fully in conversations and activities, leading to increased social interaction and a greater sense of belonging and self confidence.
Reduced meltdowns and behavioral challenges: By minimizing anxiety and overwhelm, providing processing time can help prevent meltdowns and challenging behaviors that may arise from feeling pressured or misunderstood.
Increased independence: It empowers autistic individuals to make their own choices and take control of their lives, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-confidence.
Tips for Providing Processing Time
Be patient and understanding: Remember that processing information takes time for autistic individuals. Avoid interrupting, correcting, filling in, answering for them or rushing them.
Use clear and concise language: Avoid jargon or complex sentences that may be difficult to decipher.
Give visual cues: Use gestures, pictures, or written instructions to supplement verbal communication. This increases the chances of shared attention to topic, ensures you are clear and concise, AND decreases distractibility for all.
Check for understanding: After giving a directive or making a statement, read the individual’s body language first. Are they thinking? Are they talking about or doing something else? (If they are stimming, remember, that may mean they are thinking. Allow it to happen.) You can always ask the individual if they understand or need any clarification…. after you have waited the 60 seconds, first.
Respect their pace: Allow them to respond at their own speed, even if it takes longer than you expect. This is an accommodation that our current society does not provide. The benefits are that you will hear their own voice, ideas, and contributions that are more often then not quite valuable, helpful, and insightful.
Conclusion
Providing autistic individuals of all ages with a minimum of 60 seconds of processing time is a simple yet powerful way to improve communication, reduce anxiety, and foster a more inclusive and supportive environment. By being patient, understanding, and respectful of their needs, we can empower autistic individuals to thrive.
Comments